How ASBN assisted a Stirling based business expand into South Africa (with other African markets on the horizon)
A personal testimonial by Bruce Tait, Chief Executive of Bruce Tait Associates & newly formed ‘Charity Careers Africa’
It all started in the heart of Scotland – Stirling. BTA’s Chief Executive Bruce Tait found himself in a mentoring session for students at University of Stirling. In the same virtual meeting was Claire Alexander, calling in from Cape Town, who spoke about her role in Africa Scotland Business Network and as a Global Scot.
Chat messages were exchanged, and a follow up Zoom call happened later that day. BTA, a Recruitment Agency specialising in sourcing staff for charities and non-profits, were already on an expansion drive. Bruce had taken his business model into Ireland and Canada. South Africa and Australia were in his sights, so the chance meeting with Claire was perfectly timed.
She clearly understood what BTA needed, and having worked in the non-profit world herself, she was completely familiar with the target audience for BTA. Bruce decided to join ASBN. The decision was the right one. He attended the networking event held at the new Barclays campus in Glasgow – meeting other members and supporters of the network.
Most significantly, Claire also introduced Bruce to Jo-Anne Hay, a non-profit consultant from Pretoria who was a perfect business match for Bruce. Jo-Anne was also a member of ASBN so it was a quick win for all. The Scot and the South African collaborated immediately – sharing plans, ideas and processes for what the new company might look like.
Next was a Zoom with ASBN’s General Manager, Belinda Williams, and a chance to find out precisely what ASBN offered. This was no skim of the surface – the call lasted over two hours. Belinda took the opportunity to gain a deep understanding of what BTA does, and what their ambitions were in Africa. Two significant things happened on that call.
- ASBN broadened our thinking to encompass all of Africa, not just South Africa
- Bruce decided to fly to Cape Town to attend the imminent Burns Supper and meet member companies and guests based in South Africa and other parts of Africa.
That visit saw ASBN set up a range of meetings for Bruce and Jo, which essentially confirmed that the business model was viable, even in a challenging economic crisis. By the time Bruce’s kilt was back in his suitcase for the flight home, there was no going back. Bruce and Jo would take the plunge and launch Charity Careers Africa as a joint venture. As Robert Burns would say “now’s the day, and now’s the hour!”
Three months later, thanks to the contacts and suppliers that ASBN provided, Charity Careers Africa is a registered company in South Africa. The company is based in Cape Town, with the first two projects underway. They are office neighbours of ASBN in the Africa Works, also member company of ASBN. It’s great to share premises with the network’s team in their beautiful Bree Street Africaworks office. Bruce has been back to Cape Town again and will return in June for a month. ASBN continues to be supportive, making recommendations, inspiring the Charity Careers Africa team in a friendly, efficient and fun way. We can’t thank the ASBN team enough.
There is something really special about ASBN and Charity Careers Africa are incredibly enthusiastic to see where the network assists them next and what the future holds in Africa.
Bruce Tait Associates are official members of Africa Scotland Business Network